Roller shade fixture



Oct. 1-3, 1936. R. C. S.KINNER 2,057,253

ROLLER SHADE FIXTURE- Filed Sept. 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w 52 W Jj f306 3- GjMner-I Patented Oct. 13, 19 36 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICERobert C. Skinner,

Santa Monica, Calif.

Application September 15, 1934, Serial No. 744,179

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved roller shade fixture and has forone of its principal objects the preventing of fraying of the edges ofthe ordinary window shade, which fraying '5 is usually caused byaccidental contact of the edges with the supporting fixture, and whichcontact is positively eliminated by the use of this invention.

Another important object of the invention is to provide, in combinationwith a fixture for roller shades or the like which will prevent fraying,a means for stopping undesirable upward motion of the window shade barpast the desired upper limit of the travel of the shade itself 15 whichsometimes happens with the ordinary fixture and with the result that theshade cannot be operated until this condition is remedied.

Another and further important object of the invention is to provide aninexpensive bracket for supporting roller shades of this type andprotecting the edges of the same against fraying, and also to preventundesirable whirling when the shade has reached its uppermost limit oftravel, which fixture shall be economical to manufacture, simple toinstall and not likely to get out of order.

A further and another important object of the invention is to provide atype of roller shade fixture for preventing edge fraying and undesirablewhirling at the top of the travel of the shade which shall beconveniently and readily adaptable with slight modifications forsupporting any type of shade and also for use with all types of windowsand window frames.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and followingspecification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the improved rollershade fixture of this invention, showing 5 the same as applied to awindow frame having French windows therein and with the shade inposition, parts of the apparatus being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the fixture shown in Figure 1, portionsof the window frame being broken away.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating a slightmodification of the invention M and showing the same as applied to awindow 55* frame having windows slidably mounted therein.

Figure 4 shows still another modification of the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the left-hand bracket with itsattachment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the two structures being shown asseparated for purposes of better illustration.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a slightly modified form of thesupporting bracket shown in Figure 5, the same being adapted to have theslidable element of Figure 5 mounted thereon. This illustration alsocorresponds with the showing of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of a bracket and slide such as shown inFigure 4, the bracket and slide being separated for better illustrativepurposes.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral l indicates generally a window frame to which theimproved roller shade brackets of this invention can be applied, thisparticular frame comprising one having French windows or the like [2mounted therein by hinges I4.

The shade is shown at I6 and is of the ordinary variety having the usualpull I8.

As best shown in Figure 2, the supporting brackets for the shade arecomposed of metal having base elements 20 and 22 adapted to be fastenedby screws or the like 24 to the frame I0. These screws are preferablymounted in open and enlarged slots 26 so that the bracket can be readilyremoved, if desired. Each of the brackets has the usual extensions 28and 30 respectively, which extensions are slotted or pierced to receivethe corresponding ends of a roller shade.

Each of the brackets has an integral inwardly extending tongue 3234respectively, each of the tongues being slotted as shown at 36, therebydividing the tongue into two portions, the narrower portion having ahelical spring 38 mounted thereon.

Slidably fitted upon each of the tongues 34 is the edge protectingelement of this invention which comprises essentially a base member 40shaped as best shown in Figure having slot 12 formed in offset portionsthereof for the reception of the tongue 32. Integral with each base andextending at right-angles thereto is a guard element 44 having acircular opening 46 formed therein through which opening the woodenroller the guard 44 when the shade is pulled up and down, this contactbeing assured by the action of the spring 38 which is quite light, andthe guard itself is slightly convexed on the face which contacts theshade so that a rounded surface is always presented to the shade edge.This assists in guiding the shade vertically in its movement andpositively prevents the edges of the same from contacting portions ofthe brackets 20, 22, 26 or 28, which, heretofore, has always beenundesirable as tearing and fraying of the edges of the shade properalmost invariably resulted from such contacts.

The downwardly extending apron of the guard The slidable element 4|] hasintegral therewith an arm 48 (Figure 5) upon which is mounted aresilient bumper element or the like 50 preferably composed of rubberwhich arm and bumper extend suificiently forwardly from the bracket 32so as to contact the lower end of the shade with its usual reinforcingslat, this being thicker than the rest of the shade and, therefore, willobviously contact the bumper 50 when the shade reaches the extreme upperlimit of its travel and has been wound on the roller. A similar bumperis mounted on the bracket 34 so that both ends of the bottom of theshade will be stopped, thereby preventing undesirable whirling of theshade and roller at the top of the window frame if too suddenlyreleased.

A modified form of construction is shown in Figure 3 wherein a bracket52 is provided adapted to be mounted on the inner face of a window frame54 and having an extension 56 for the reception of a combination guideand bumper 5B6ll which can be identical with the guide and bumper 44--50of Figure 2. Another difference between this bracket and that shown inFigures 1 and 2 is the latching element 62 at the bracket rather than atthe top as in the structure illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 5. I

The complementary element 66 which holds the other end of the shade issimilar in structure and also has a locking or latching projection 68 asbest shown in Figure 4.

A further modification is shown in Figures 4 and 7 wherein a bracket 10is shown devised for attachment to the outer face of a window frame orthe like and with an outwardly projecting integral arm 12 having a slot14 therein, the slot being positioned centrally of the arm and with theusual spring 16 mounted in the slot. A slidable element 18 is mounted onthe bar 12, this including merely a guard 80 of a form slightlydifferent than the form shown in Figure 5, and the bumper 50-60 iseliminated, as it is possible that the same may not be desirable in someconstructions. The complementary element 82 is similarly constructed asbest shown in Figure 4. a

It will be evident that herein is provided a combination bracket, guardand bumper for Window shades of the roller type which will constitutequite an improvement over the ordinary brackets or supports now in useas the objectionable fraying of the edges of the shade will bedefinitely eliminated and another annoyance due to undesirable whirlingof the shade and roller around its axis at the top of the travel of theshade will be avoided. Furthermore, the entire combination, brackets,guards, and bumpers, are economical of construction, readily installed,simple of operation and not likely to get out of order.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention, and I, therefore, do not propose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the priorart.

" "I claim as my invention:

1. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket and acombination guard and bumper on the bracket.

2. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket and acombination guard and bumper slidably mounted on the bracket.

3. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket, and acombination guide, guard and bumper on the bracket.

4. A roller shade fixture, including a bracket and a shade edge guardslidably mounted on said bracket, said guard comprising a plate havingan opening through which the roller passes and a flange adapted tocontact and guide the edge of the shade in its movement, and anextension on the bracket adapted for the slidable reception of theguard.

5. A roller shade fixture, including a bracket and a shade edge guardslidably mounted on said bracket, said guard comprising a plate havingan opening through which the roller passes and a flange adapted tocontact and guide the edge of the shade in its movement, and anextension on the bracket adapted for the slidable reception of theguard, together with a spring on said extension for resiliently forcingthe guard against the shade edge.

6. A roller shade fixture, including a bracket and a shade edge guardslidably mounted on said bracket, said guard comprising a plate havingan opening through which the roller passes and a flange adapted tocontact and guide the edge of the shade in its movement, and anextension on the bracket adapted for the slidable reception of theguard, together with a spring on said extension for resiliently forcingthe guard against the shade edge, and an arm integral with the guardplate, said arm comprising a bumper and stop for the lower edge of theshade. 7. A roller shade fixture, including a bracket and a shade edgeguard slidably mounted on said bracket, said guard comprising a platehaving an opening through which the roller passes and a flange adaptedto contact and guide the edge of the shade in its movement, and anextension on the bracket adapted for the slidable reception of theguard, together with a spring on said extension for resiliently forcingthe guard against the shade edge, and an arm integral with the guardplate, said arm comprising a bumper and stop for the lower edge of theshade, and a resilient covering over said arm.

8. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket, an armintegral therewith extending in a direction parallel to the shaderoller, said arm having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and acombination guard and bumper slidably mounted on the arm.

9. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket, an armintegral therewith extending in a direction parallel to the shaderoller, said arm having a. slot extending longitudinally thereof, andacombination guard and bumper slidably mounted on the arm, and latchmeans comprising a projection at the end of the arm for retaining theguard and bumper thereon.

10. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket, an armintegral therewith extending in a direction parallel to the shaderoller, said arm having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and acombination guard and bumper slidably mounted on the arm, and latchmeans comprising a projection at the end of the arm for retaining theguard and bumper thereon, and limiting the extent of travel of same.

11. A roller shade fixture, including a supporting bracket, an armintegral therewith extending in a direction parallel to the shaderoller, said arm having a slot extending longitudinally thereof, and acombination guard and bumper slidably mounted on the arm, and a helicalspring mounted on the arm in the slot adapted to contact the combinationguard and bumper for forcing the guard member resiliently against theshade edge.

ROBERT C. SKINNEB.

